American Accounting Association Archives - CFO

Audit Partner Rotation Delivers Few Benefits: Study

Corporate Finance

Audit Partner Rotation Delivers Few Benefits: Study

Studies find no significant fall-offs in reporting quality over partners’ five-year tenures and little or no evidence of the benefits of "fresh looks."

By CFO Staff | September 25, 2020

Sexual Harassment Foreshadows Weak Stock Performance: Study

Workplace Issues

Sexual Harassment Foreshadows Weak Stock Performance: Study

How much does a high incidence of sexual harassment within a company hurt firm value?

By Vincent Ryan | August 17, 2020

Curtailing Auditors’ Tax Services For Appearances Brings Higher Rates

Corporate Finance

Curtailing Auditors’ Tax Services For Appearances Brings Higher Rates

The pursuit of perceived auditor independence turns out to be an expensive proposition, a new study reveals.

By Vincent Ryan | June 30, 2020

High Fees for Exec-Comp Consultants a Tipoff to Sumptuous CEO Pay: Study

Management Accounting

High Fees for Exec-Comp Consultants a Tipoff to Sumptuous CEO Pay: Study

How effective is a continuing regulatory focus on cross-selling by exec-comp consultants?

By Vincent Ryan | June 9, 2020

SOX 404 Exemption Pushes Small Companies to Incur Debt: Study

Credit & Capital

SOX 404 Exemption Pushes Small Companies to Incur Debt: Study

To avoid the auditor attestation required by SOX 404, small companies often incur debt instead of selling stock, a new study finds.

By Vincent Ryan | April 14, 2020

Locally Grown CEOs Manage for the Longer Term

Locally Grown CEOs Manage for the Longer Term

CEOs from the state where their companies are based are less likely to cut R&D expenses in order to achieve earnings targets, research finds.

By David McCann | March 10, 2020

Do Clawback Policies Accomplish Their Desired Purpose?

Do Clawback Policies Accomplish Their Desired Purpose?

They may, but new research surprisingly suggests that clawbacks may also prompt managers to drive down their companies' effective tax rates.

By David McCann | December 16, 2019

Outside Board Service Boosts Inside Accounting Quality

Risk & Compliance

Outside Board Service Boosts Inside Accounting Quality

CFOs who serve on other companies' boards make significantly fewer errors in their own financial reporting.

By David McCann | November 20, 2019

Investors Shun Companies That Play ‘Robin Hood’

Investors Shun Companies That Play ‘Robin Hood’

Wall Street likes tax avoidance practices, and it likes corporate social responsibility. But it doesn't like companies that practice both, study finds.

By David McCann | September 3, 2019

Fresh Evidence of Auditor Bias Emerges

Risk Management

Fresh Evidence of Auditor Bias Emerges

Companies don't look good for penalizing honest auditors, while other auditors don't look good for rendering slanted opinions.

By David McCann | August 12, 2019

Tax Reform Spurs Major Unintended Consequence

Tax Reform Spurs Major Unintended Consequence

Contrary to congressional intent, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has boosted multinationals' capital investments abroad more than at home.

By David McCann | July 24, 2019

What Happens When the CFO Is the COO, Too?

What Happens When the CFO Is the COO, Too?

A new academic study could dim perceptions that problems may arise when one executive holds both roles.

By David McCann | June 20, 2019

Do Clawbacks Cause as Many Problems as They Prevent?

Do Clawbacks Cause as Many Problems as They Prevent?

While penalties for erroneous financial reporting may spur achievement, they also may lead executives to cover up their mistakes, study suggests.

By David McCann | May 28, 2019

‘Opinion-Shopping’ Compromises Auditor Independence

‘Opinion-Shopping’ Compromises Auditor Independence

While it may serve the interests of struggling companies, shopping for a favorable audit opinion lessens auditor independence and audit quality.

By David McCann | May 8, 2019

Here’s Another Reason to Avoid Tax Avoidance

Here’s Another Reason to Avoid Tax Avoidance

Aggressive tax planning sows confusion not only about companies' taxes but also about the basics of their operations and finances.

By David McCann | January 16, 2019